7-Eleven

«Doo rag guy» used to be really cool to me and then one day he was slamming stuff down and cussing and I figured ohkkkkayyyyyy maybe he’s having a bad day.
Ever since then he’s been really fucking angry and nasty to me and — like in a threatening way — now when I see him in the store I do not go in there.

I frequent this 7 – 11, normally during the daytime hours.
Stopped in this evening to Store #24 397 at 5901 Burnet Rd, here in Austin, about 10:50 pm (my receipt reads 10:57) to grab a couple of items and encountered the RUDEST clerk I think I’ve ever encountered in any store. I also plan to call Corporate offices as well.
When I walked in, there was crap all over the floor, so I’m assuming this guy was cleaning, etc.. I asked «How’s it going?» He looked at me with disdain, and didn’t answer. His attitude in not even replying was so bad that I actually said to myself jokingly, «Well, I guess that answers that question.»
When I got to the counter to pay, I asked again, very sincerely, «How’s it going?», and he again gave me a resentful look, and said nothing. After a pause, he barked, «11.08», and nothing more. I added 10.00 to my debit card purchase, and he slapped the 10.00 down, turned and walked away.
He had earbuds in the entire time, and was wearing a do rag, if that helps identify him.
If I find out that he had a death in his family, then I’m sure I’ll understand, however, notwithstanding that possibility, there’s no reason in the world for someone to act so damn rude, and perhaps he should consider another career, as people like this, cost the owner (s) business, as it’s certainly going to cost them mine.

It’s 7 – 11 … good late night grab and go sandwiches and chips… just say’n.

I’m usually stumbling in here at 6 am, and they are always the friendliest faces I have ever seen. Joe and the gang at the Allandale 7 – 11 know how to make people feel welcome, even if it is just for a quick cup of coffee.
I recently lost my credit card at this 7 – 11 and they held it safe until I was able to come back hours later. These guys continue to just be the greatest!

A few months ago, when I was looking to move, I would drive around Austin, waiting for something – je né sais quois (mon cheri) – to yank at my chinny-​chin-​chin hairs and huskily whisper, «This is where you should live!»
I feel pretty South/​East Austin-​y most of the time, but I had lived in the Allandale area for several years. Yes, my children reside there, but our bond (and love) would remain strong if I moved a few miles southward, or southwestward – or even easterly in a southern diagonal sort of way. So, I looked at apartments, condos, houses, duplexes, bridges, ditches – lots of places. I looked for almost three months, all told. And, I looked all over the Austin place.
Then, there was this one chilly February evening when I stopped at my favorite 7 – 11. I wanted an apple fritter.
(They are massive and uniquely misshapen, the apple fritters. someone actually makes and bakes these things by using their gloved hands. They are gooey and soft with a crispy outer edge. They have moist appleage in them. They – were $ 1.19 – are only $ 1.29, and I love them.)
My favorite proprietor watched me as I reached for my nearly midnight snack.
«Good timing, the truck just dropped them off. They bake them fresh just hours before we get them, you know.»
I chose wisely, taking one from the back left corner, before grabbing the requisite chocolate milk (7 – 11 brand, also $ 1.29) and making my way to the counter. We – the «clerk», my friend now – chatted for a few moments. I told him of my dilemma, that I hadn’t quite found a place where I felt «home».
“Well, just make sure you stay close to us. We like you here.“
B-​i-​n-​g-​o.
That night – a night that was quickly becoming a morning – as I ate my warmed (the industrial microwave at my 7 – 11 works fast magic) fritter and chugged my milk, I made my mind up. I would stay close to my 7 – 11.
Thing is, the manager, he’s there every weekday morning, but he’s rarely on shift. He comes to visit and keep an eye out. He stands by the counter and reads the paper, discusses game scores and upcoming match-​ups. The men and women behind the counter smile – warmly, genuinely – and get things done quickly.
I mean, it’s a massive chain, is 7 – 11, but my store – the one on Burnet and Allandale/​Northland/​2222/​Koenig – is no link in a chain. Nope, it’s a stand alone vestige to homegrown «hey, there» corner store feed and seed and «how’s the wife?» goodness.
Confession: On Christmas Day, I moved some stuff into storage at Burnet Road Storage, and afterwards took my Xmas lunch at my 7 – 11. I had two 1/​8lb hotdogs, a bag of 7 – 11 chips and a Coke Zero for $ 4.54. Oh, but don’t you feel sorry for me for one little second, friend. I was smiling the whole time.
Life is best lived when the little stuff makes you smile big; it’s true.
My 7 – 11 makes me smile big.

What can I say I luh me a good coke slurpee

Kind of strange to review a convenience store, but I really want to give a shout-​out to my homies at the Allandale 7 – 11.
I used to stop in every Monday-​Friday morning around 8:45am for a cup of coffee on my way to my old job. By the fourth day, all the regular morning employees had learned my name and it was like walking in to an old friend’s house every morning after. The Allandale 7 – 11 was my Cheers man.
The coffee was always brewed fresh, or brewing as I arrived. The food they offered was never stale or gross. The people were awesome and would remember things I told them weeks before and ask about them. I really miss that morning routine but now I work and live elsewhere and the Tigermart I hit up every morning just isn’t the same.

I’m a sucker for free food or drink so I stopped in for my annual free slurpee, served in a 7.11 oz cup every year on 7 – 11. (These marketing people are clever.) I went in with the notion of having an old school cherry and coke at Allison P’s recommendation but was thwarted by six different flavors. The Slurp-​accino Coffee Latte sounded interesting. It was okay but I regret that I did not go with the old school idea. Stick with your plan, Allison.
Flavors available are:
Cola
Cherry
Crystal Lite (can’t remember the flavor but maybe a lemon/​lime)
Dr. Pepper
Monster Black Ice (for big energy)
Slurpa-​cinno Coffee Latte
It had been years since I visited a 7-​Eleven and this one was clean and organized. The cashier and guy sweeping the floors were friendly and showed me which cup to use for my slurpee. I purchased two lottery tickets because I wanted to buy something from them for the freebie. The home office for 7-​Eleven is in Dallas, Texas and I felt pretty good about supporting a Texas based franchise.
If I win the lottery, free slurpees for all my Unilocal friends!